Chapter Seven: Nowhere To Run

Nothing haunts us,

like the words we don't say.

I wasn't able to save him back then...

But I will protect,

the ones I can!

Think I can't?

Watch me!

And see what happens...

... It had been a few weeks since 0020 had that conversation with 002 and 004, Or any conversation with them for that matter. 004 was a little disappointed with her, but let it go and left her alone until she wanted to forgive them. Sadly though, 002 wasn't as patient as 004 was.

At first, he tried to apologize to her and all but begging for her forgiveness. However, 0020 still wouldn't talk to him. Then, after that, he became angry and bitter towards her. He yelled at her once, and was rewarded with a shoulder colder than the Artic. And now, he was going crazy knowing the object of his affections was mad at him.

And for what? Because he wanted to know everything there was about her? Because he wanted to help her? Why should he have to be the one punished for caring? It just wasn't fair!

Right now, 002 was walking down the corridors of the Dolphin; looking for 0020. She had been avoiding everyone since she had found out that they were going to Ireland. She had told the others that was feeling very well, and wished to lay down. She hadn't come back since...

002 finally found his target sitting on a bench not too far from the rear of the ship. Her arms were hanging limp at her sides, and her face was tilted up towards the ceiling and her eyes were closed. It was almost as if she had fallen asleep.

However, he knew she wasn't asleep. He may not know her very well, but he knew 0020 doesn't sleep. She never sleeps. No matter how hard everyone tries to talk her into sleeping, she refuses to do so because she claims that her insomnia simply won't let her. And since, she slso refuses to take any medication to help her sleep, there was nothing they could do.

"Hey, 0020?" He called out in a careful tone as he got closer to her.

She didn't respond to him in the slightest. She really didn't seem aware of anything that was going on around her. He tried again.

"0020? Are you awake?" He asked in a slightly louder tone; reaching out to touch her shoulder.

0020 cried out in fear, and jerked away from him; causing her to lose her balance and fall on the floor.

"Please don't hurt me!" She shouted in panic; using both her arms to cover her face.

"Hurt you?" 002 asked in shock; looking down at the girl on the floor. "Snap outta it, 0020! It's me! 002!"

0020 shook her head vigorously and blinked at 002 for a moment. She then looked around her and took in her surroundings for a moment.

"I'm sorry... I guess I forgot where I was fer a moment." She said in a tired tone; taking a few deep breaths to calm herself down.

"Were you having a nightmare or something?" 002 asked in a curious tone; helping the girl back onto the bench.

She didn't reply to him, and 002 sighed in defeat. So he tried a different approach.

"Look, 0020, I know you're still mad at me for what happened with 004 in the Dining Room a few weeks ago," he spoke in a relenting tone; giving 0020 a weak smile, "but I can't stand to see you like anymore! I miss talking to you, spending time with you, or just flat-out being in the same room as you!"

0020 gasped and looked up at the cyborg next to her. "I'm sorry, 002..." She said in a hollow tone; slouching slightly in her seat, "I'll try harder... I promise..."

002 gave 0020 a court nod. "Well, you can start by telling me what just happened." He said in a brotherly tone; leaning back against the wall behind him and placing his hands behind his head.

0020 hung her head. "I don't know if you know this or not, but Ireland is my homeland. And I wasn't having a nightmare why you came by. I was jus' 'memberin' ol' memeries. Sorry 'bout that." She explained in a sheepish tone; looking down at her knees.

"What were you remembering that made you jump outta your seat like that? It must've been pretty scary if you thought you were somewhere else." He asked in a surprised tone; looking over at the girl next to him.

0020 lifted her head to look over at 002 for a second. She then turned her head to look at the wall in front of them and took a deep breath.

"I was just thinking about the last time I was 'ere. And for the record, it wasn't one of my happiest memories." She said in a bitter tone; not looking away from the wall. " 'nd I suppose ye want me ta tell 'bout that, too?"

002 nodded in agreement. "It would help." He said in an encouraging tone.

0020 kept her silver eyes trained on the the wall with an empty look. "I was comin' home from Regionals that night. I placed 2nd but was still qualified for the Olympics..."

002 looked over at 0020 with disbelief in his eyes. "And that's something to be scared of because..." He started to say; then gestered for her to finish the sentence.

"Long story short- me maw was an abusive drunk an' anythin' less than gold wasn't good enough for a day without a slap in the face or anythin' thrown at ye." She said in a bitter tone; looking down at her knees.

"Was she the one who hurt you back then, 0020?" 002 asked in a firm tone; already knowing the answer.

0020 was about to answer him when 004 came down the hall. He had a friendly smile on his face and his shoulders were relaxed. It made the two think of him as a proud parent when he looked like that.

"We'll be arriving in Irish waters pretty soon," he said in a calm tone; joining the two on the bench, "it'd probably be a good idea to start thinking about coming up before we break surface."

002 stood up from his seat and turned to face him with a fake smile. "Thanks for the heads up, 004, we'll be up soon." He said flatly; folding his arms over his chest and looking away.

004 looked over at 0020 for a moment and flashed her a friendly smile before he got up from his seat and turned to walk away.

'...Slipin' and slidin'! ...'

The two remaining cyborgs watched 004 leave. 002 turned to 0020 with a soft smile.

"I think he likes you, 0020." 002 stated in a blunt tone; placing his hands on his hips and leaning closer to the girl.

0020 giggled and turned to fully face 002 standing next to her. "Trust me, 002," she said in a sing-song voice, "... green isn't very becomin' of ye..."

002 blinked at the girl in confusion. "What do you mean?" He asked in a curious tone; tilting his head to the side. "I'm not wearing green."

0020 sighed and slapped her forehead. "004 loves me like a duaghter he ne'er 'ad. We talked about it a few weeks ago when we were patrolling together."

002 narrowed his eyes at 0020. "Alright, 0020. I get it. But how do know what emotions we feel if all you know are the bad ones? Why can't you just turn it off like 003 can turn off her radar?" He asked in a brotherly tone; staring down at her with firm eyes. "I mean, they are our own personal feelings, you know?"

0020 sighed and looked down the hall. "First of all, 002," she started off in an annoyed tone, "I never could control my Empathy - E'en before Black Ghost took me away! The only thing that even remotely helped was physical pain. And secondly, I may not 'ave 'ad experienced what ye call, "good feelings" for myself, but I still felt them through others!"

002 looked at 0020 for a moment and sighed. "I'm sorry I've upset you again, 0020." He said in a defeated tone; looking down at himself in disgust. "I just really, really care about you and I hate watching you suffer so much."

0020 looked over at 002 with a faint smile. "I know ye be worried 'bout me, 002," she said in a gentle tone, "I can take care o' myself."

002 sighed and held his hands up in surrender. "Alright, 0020, you win." He said in a defensive tone; stuffing his hands in his pockets. "I'll back off. I promise."

The female cyborg nodded her head once and turned away. "Let's go see what the others are up to, shall we? The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can leave."

002 watched 0020 smiling at him for a moment. "What am I going to do with you?" He asked her in a joking tone; shaking his head with a short laugh as he walked after her.

He caught up with her and slung his arm around her waist. He looked down at her with a brave smile. He pulled her close as they walked down the hall and up the stairs.

"Hey, 0020," he spoke up as soon as he touched the guard rail, "how about we go sight-seeing when we land? Just the two of us?"

0020 gave 002 a funny look. "But we 'ave a mission to do." She protested in surprise, beating him to the top of the stiars.

002 whined at the other cyborg. "But there's ten members on our team. Surely, they wouldn't mind if we sat this mission out! Besides," he argued in a logical tone; joining her at the top of the stairs, "it's not every day I get to spend with a pretty girl native to our destinations."

"...Who are ye talkin' to?" 0020 asked in a shocked tone; walking down the hall. "There's nothin' pretty 'bout me."

002 frowned at the female cyborg, and grabbed her arm. "But you are pretty, 0020," he stated in a serious tone; stopping her from walking away from him, "I think you're pretty, and I'm not just saying that, I'm telling you the truth. Actually, I think you're beautiful."

0020 looked up at 002 with a bright blush. "Really, 002?" She asked in a surprised tone, "ye don' think I'm a freak 'cus of my Empathy? Or the fact that I used to hurt myself doesn't bother ye?"

002 shook his head at her. "I think those things just make you special." He said in an honest tone; looking her dead in her eyes.

After a few moments, 002 smiled fondly at her and moved back to her side. Then he threw his arm back around her shoulder, and guided her down the hall.

"Come on land with me, 0020," he told her in a pleading tone; flashing her a pouty smile, "you can show me around town while we go look for signs of Black Ghost. That way, we won't be doing nothing while everyone is working."

0020 gave the American cyborg an unsure look. "Well, there is something I'd like to do while we're here..."

002's honey brown eyes lit up in joy. "Just name it!" He said excitedly; giving her his full attention.

"Well, if it's okay with everyone else," she said quietly; looking away from him, "I'd like to go see Jasper. I used to run away there when I was small."

002 looked down at the girl with a sympathetic smile. "I'll get you there, 0020," he said in a brotherly tone; giving her shoulder a quick squeeze, "I promise."

0020 blushed hotly at him. "Thank ye, 002. It'd mean a lot ta me if I could say goodbye one last time."

002 let the girl go and rushed over to open the door for her. "Don't worry, 0020." He whispered to her with a playful wink.